As a club, Clovelly Eagles has chosen not to grade teams or promote grading as part of our historic structure. Our growth has come organically through word of mouth, friendships, and the additional benefit of access to the Randwick Academy in the off-season. See our recruitment policy and fair go policy.
If we were to adopt a grading system, it would represent a significant shift from our fundamental setup and the expectations parents had when they enrolled their children. Our inclusive culture has been built on the foundation of accepting and integrating new players, ensuring that everyone finds a place within our teams.
- Friend-Based Team Allocation: Players who join the club with a specific request to play with friends, or because they were referred by friends, are typically allocated to those teams — provided that the team is below the maximum squad size.
- New Players without Connections: Players who join without existing friendships are allocated to teams based on squad capacity. While their experience can be considered, coaches and managers are not permitted to reject players if their team does not have enough or is not close to the maximum squad size.
- Positional Gaps: Coaches are encouraged to advise the registrar and age manager of any positional gaps in their squads before the start of the season as this will assist in allocations to covers gaps or an over abundance of certain positions.
This approach ensures that we maintain our inclusive, community-driven spirit, which has been a key part of our success.
Grading occurs as part of the players migration to the Randwick Warriors – where we have one District club and their village club i.e. Clovelly Eagles no longer has a team.
Purpose:
This policy records the approach Clovelly Eagles has traditionally used to manage team numbers, plan for each season, and dissolve or reform teams when necessary. The goal is to ensure every player has the best opportunity to play rugby while maintaining fairness on sharing players when an event occurs whilst maintaining that essence of team.
Non-Graded Teams:
Clovelly Eagles has always operated as a non-graded club, with teams staying together from their inception through to their final year in the under-12s. This approach fosters team spirit, continuity, and a strong sense of belonging.
Clarification of Grading:
Grading refers to the process of evaluating and grouping players based on their skill level, experience, and performance to create teams that are balanced in terms of ability. In a graded team structure, players are assessed through trials, training, or match performances and are then placed into teams that reflect their proficiency, such as “A,” “B,” or “C” teams.
Grading is typically used to ensure more competitive matches within an age group and to provide development opportunities that match each player’s skill level. Players of similar ability play together, allowing for more tailored coaching and skill development appropriate to their experience and potential. However, this approach contrasts with non-graded systems, where teams are not formed based on skill level, but rather on factors like friendship or continuity from previous seasons.
Team Adjustments:
From time to time, changes in the number of returning players and influx of new members may require team adjustments. This could involve:
- Adding a New Team: When there are enough players to form a new team, volunteers from existing teams may be requested to join to balance numbers.
- Player Redistribution: If player numbers become uneven across teams, players may be reallocated to support teams that are short on players. Either rotated in to support them or a permanent move if a team dissolves.
The goal of these adjustments is to ensure that each player gets maximum playing time and enjoys the rugby experience. It’s essential that the age group and club work together to find a solution that benefits everyone.
Age Group Changes:
As players progress through age groups, team sizes increase:
- U9: Teams move from 7 a side to 10 on field (squad of 14/5)
- U10: Teams move from 10 players on field to 12 players and a maximum of 18.
- U12: Teams match adult rugby with 15 players on the field and a maximum squad size of 23.
At these stages, careful planning is needed to assess returning players and a drive for newcomers joining the age group. This allows the club to evaluate whether the current number of teams can be maintained or if changes are needed (up or down).
Managing Team Dissolution:
If there aren’t enough players to maintain all existing teams in an age group, the team with the fewest players may be dissolved. Players from the dissolved team will be reallocated to teams that need additional members.
Team Re-allocation – Historic Process:
- When a team worked out they would not be able to create a squad for the coming season, the team with the least numbers (returning plus new players) – would be determined to be disbanded.
- That team’s players would be split amongst the remaining teams based on a needs basis – with consultation with the disbanded team players.
- Players (from the disbanded team) were asked for any key friend (to try and accommodate) to ensure they play with friends.
- The requirements of the remaining teams would be assessed at that point (returning players plus new players – to work out squad capacity).
- Those teams that needed most numbers would get the majority of players to ensure they reached sufficient squad sizes (hence knowing the expected squad size is core).
- The weakest team from the prior year would generally get the first pick of players (or pairs) and that would or should be based on key safety positions (e.g. front rower or hooker etc).
Key Points for Team Dissolution:
- Teams are not redrawn from scratch. Instead, players are reallocated to teams in need of additional players.
- Efforts are made to ensure players move with a friend, maintaining a sense of continuity and minimising disruption to the playing experience.
- If only a few teams are affected, players may be shared with just one or two teams to keep group cohesion intact.
- Efforts are made to create balanced teams in skill level
Reallocation Process:
- Coaches’ Involvement: The coach of the dissolving team are encouraged to assess players based on experience and ability. This helps allocate players to teams where they are most needed.
- Positional Needs: Players are often reallocated based on positional requirements (e.g., front row players).
- Friend Pairing: Players are moved in pairs where possible to ensure they transition with a familiar face, maintaining some consistency in their rugby journey.
Dispute Resolution Process:
- If a member is unsatisfied with the outcomes of the above policy, the impacted member and only the impacted member can escalate their grievance:
- Age Manager Consultation: The parent should first raise the issue with the Age Manager, who will review the situation and discuss the reasoning behind the allocation, or reconsider the outcome; if the parent is not satisfied with the outcome from the Age Manager:
- Escalation to Full Clovelly Committee or Subcommittee if in place: The committee will review all aspects and provide a resolution.
Conclusion:
This flexible, player-centered approach ensures Clovelly Eagles can continue to deliver an enjoyable rugby experience for all players, regardless of team changes. By working together as a club and age group, we can maintain the spirit and integrity of the Clovelly Eagles community.
At Clovelly Eagles, we believe that non-graded, friend-based teams with mixed skill levels offer valuable opportunities for both personal and team growth. As players move from under 6 to under 12 year of age, their primary school era:
- Camaraderie and Team Spirit: Mixed-skill teams foster strong bonds between players of all abilities. Friend-based teams encourage camaraderie, making the rugby experience more enjoyable and helping players form lasting friendships.
- Peer Learning and Leadership: In mixed-skill teams, newer or less experienced players have the chance to learn directly from their more skilled teammates. This natural mentoring helps players step up, develop faster, and gain confidence through shared experiences.
- Reduced Anxiety, More Fun: By not grading players, we eliminate the stress and anxiety that often comes with selection processes. Kids can focus on enjoying the game, rather than worrying about being placed in a certain team based on ability.
- Life Skills and Real-World Preparation: In life, we encounter a diverse mix of abilities, experiences, and personalities. Non-graded teams reflect this, helping kids develop important social skills, resilience, and adaptability—qualities that are crucial both on and off the field.
- Opportunity for Extra Development: Players who want to pursue higher-level rugby can still apply for Randwick Development Squads, and apply for the Randwick Academy, where they will experience a selection process. However, they can always return to their village club team, ensuring they remain connected to their friends and the club’s inclusive environment.
- Recruitment Advantage – being able to ask friends to bring friends to play underpins our Minis Teams and culture. We would struggle to grow our playing numbers in U6 onwards without the bring a friend concept.
Approved by the Clovelly JRFC Committee September 2024